3 3 A group of Black Pastors .. calling for HARSHER penalties for African- Americans guilty of senseless killings. They say they support the DEATH PENALTY for the most violent offenders who commit "Black on Black" crimes. Their goal, they say, is to reduce the troubling homicide rate each year. Channel 4's Tarik Minor was there when these local pastors took a stand .. he joining us now from downtown. Tarik, did the pastors say why they are speaking out ..right now? 3 00561'31 11;24;34'maybe if they knew that if you take a life, your life will be taken, just maybe that will stop some of the killing."She's a mother whose son was murdered just two months ago on the West side of Jacksonville. Kathy Robinson says her only son was shot and killed . THE MURDER SUSPECT, KEITH COLLINS WAS ARRESED BY POLICE AND IS STILL IN JAIL.THE MURDER HAPPENED around the same time that she found out, he was expecting a child.11:21:31"and his 1st child was on the way, the young lady is 3 months pregnant, and I had to put the sonogram in the casket there with my baby...where is the justice in that! yes I am in for the death penalty."Robinson and local pastors are calling for the increased use of capital punishment, especially when it comes to black on black crimes. 11:11:45"the message has to get out, a strong message that black life, does matter, that there is a value attached to it."Pastor Kenneth Adkins says community interest shouldn't solely surround trials like George Zimmerman or Michael Dunn's. He says the same passion demonstrators displayed then, is necessary EVERY time a person is killed. 11:13:28 "where is the outrage when it's black on black crime, where are the marchers, where are folks that are fighting and those that are upset, it should be the same amount of passion from the community standpoint." 11:16:00"i think the death penalty is sufficient for those who kill heinously. Pastor Terrance Calloway says he's eulogized the deaths of nearly a dozen black males over the past 4 years. He wants to see more mentorship programs offered for African American teens, and neighborhood programs to offset violent crimes. 11:16:41"we still have a problem that needs to be addressed, not just in the religious community as the entire community." 3 Tarik.. I cant remember ever hearing members of the clergy speak out in favor of the death penalty ..did they talk about any possible conflict with their religion? One of the preachers .. Pastor Adkins will take his death penalty views to a Jacksonville courtroom tomorrow. He plans to attend the sentencing hearing for 44 year old Rodney Newberry ..a jury has voted 8 to 4 to recommend he be executed for murdering Terrese Stevens outside a nightclub in 2009. Adkins says he will be there to show support for a death sentence and to support

Comments

The views expressed below are not those of News4Jax or its affiliated companies. By clicking on "Post," you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and your comment is in compliance with such terms. Readers, please help keep this discussion respectful and on topic by flagging comments that are offensive or inappropriate (hover over the commenter's name and you'll see the flag option appear on right side of that line). And remember, respect goes both ways: Tolerance of others' opinions is important in a free discourse. If you're easily offended by strong opinions, you might skip reading comments entirely.